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Division Spotlight
Human Factors, Instrumentation & Controls
Improving task performance, system reliability, system and personnel safety, efficiency, and effectiveness are the division's main objectives. Its major areas of interest include task design, procedures, training, instrument and control layout and placement, stress control, anthropometrics, psychological input, and motivation.
Meeting Spotlight
Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2024)
August 4–7, 2024
Marco Island, FL|JW Marriott Marco Island
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Jul 2024
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
August 2024
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Vogtle-3 shuts down for valve issue
One of the new Vogtle units in Georgia was shut down unexpectedly on Monday last week for a valve issue that has since been investigated and repaired. According to multiple local news outlets, Georgia Power reported on July 17 that Unit 3 was back in service.
Southern Company spokesperson Jacob Hawkins confirmed that Vogtle-3 went off line at 9:25 p.m. local time on July 8 “due to lowering water levels in the steam generators caused by a valve issue on one of the three main feedwater pumps.”
Mateo Ramos, Javier Gil (Tecnatom)
Proceedings | Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control, and Human-Machine Interface Technolgies (NPIC&HMIT 2019) | Orlando, FL, February 9-14, 2019 | Pages 918-923
EASE-t-pro is a proven-in-use Computerized Procedure System designed and developed by Tecnatom. Much more than simply digitizing procedures, this system automates all aspects of procedure use and maintenance while embedding human performance, operating experience, supervisory oversight and many more important functions. Users benefit from important safety improvements, human error reductions and costs savings. EASE-t-pro provides three modules to perform integrated procedures management. An editing tool is used to create and revise procedures. A web application is used by control room operators to execute procedures and by other profiles for supervision, management and information analysis. Its mobility application allows field workers to execute procedures and to have access to related information working in online or offline modes. Key system features include: monitoring plant real-time data, automated place-keeping and branching to other procedures, immediate access to related documents (technical specifications, training material, pictures, videos, etc.), pre-determined and customized alerts, warnings, and anomalies, condition report generating, barcode scanning, execution records and data analysis. Ease-t-pro also integrates with existing electronic document management systems (EDMS) and protocols have been created to streamline the converting existing procedures. The system ensures a better coordination among the operation and maintenance shift allowing control room operators to track and review field tasks increasing plant situation awareness. The use of QR codes or indoor positioning systems (IPS) guarantee the operation of the correct equipment at the required time and keep the record to prove it. Although it is not necessary to benefit from the advantages of using that system, having WiFi increases the flow of real-time information between field digital workers and control room operators allowing for instance to monitor all the activities being executed or to share a picture or video of an event found during a round.